Play Your Cards Right - BBC Trumped?
Mr Trump. Not missing a trick?
Life can be much like a game of cards, full of flushes, runs, gambles, wildcards, tricks and trumps! As those vying for power try to hold all the cards, keep aces up their sleeves, play cards close to their chest, refuse to lay them on the table and cheat. Are we, the ordinary people, being continually dealt bad hands and bum deals, as we have to put up with a world screwed up by those who lead?
Wildcards? It's hard not to worry about some of the people that worm their way into power in this world and the effect they have. They cause the ordinary people of this planet significant problems, as we see their faults and flaws play out in the way they behave and the decisions they make. Decisions which adversely affect millions, causing the bulk of all the troubles in the world!
Cards On The Table! It is somewhat evident, that many of our leaders and those in authority, simply lie through their teeth when it suits. For some in this world, it means they don't do much else when their lips move. They seem to think it doesn't matter. They also seem to think that lying is an appropriate way to behave. However, information accuracy is important. Imagine, if your senses lied to you. You wouldn't know where you stood. If you've ever been tripping, very stoned, or extremely drunk, you'll know how hard it is to function, or do anything we regard as normal, without being able to properly rely on the very senses and abilities we take for granted every day. Information accuracy, that is knowing exactly where you stand, and being able to rely on what you see and hear, is important. It's a lesson we all have to learn! We have to be able to trust our senses, and each other! So, let's try and be truthful! It may hurt at first, but it won't hurt at last! Plus, those who have the ability to be truthful, that is put their hands up and their cards on the table, will always get more respect for doing so!
Misleading! The BBC, with its recent Panorama editing faux pas, has not done itself any favours. Mr Trump, however, accusing the BBC of ‘fake news’ wasn’t exactly accurate either. It was a clear misrepresentation, with two true actual-fact clips (from the same speech) presented out of context and if the editor had left a gap between the cuts, indicating they were separate clips, that would have been okay. But as the two true actual-fact clips were spliced together, to make them look concurrent, it did make it look like what it originally was not, and was consequently misleading. An irresponsible and foolish thing to do, especially for the BBC, an institution the public like to think is both accurate and trustworthy. After all, the public pay for it!
Actual Fact! However, having said that, Mr Trump did speak those words, which led to the events we saw unfold. So maybe the editor was just trying to make that point and skip to the bottom line, without all the waffle and subterfuge in between. Mr Trump's speech, whether meaning to, or not, did incite a riot and an assault on the Capitol building, and that is actual fact, not fake news! Did he apologise? Did he get sued? In fact, as Mr Trump said it was, "My very good (PERFECT!) speech" and beautiful perfect speech, one could assume it was perhaps the perfect outcome; exactly what he wanted. Maybe, although somewhat clumsily, that's what the Panorama editing was intended to demonstrate? And that is another point, because although heads have rolled at the top, somebody, presumably still in the job, thought it was a good idea at the time. What we don't know yet, is why! What was the editor's intention? Was it simply to cut to the chase? Or something else?
Help The World? Mr Trump, not being a very understanding, or forgiving person at such times, wants to seize the opportunity to have a pop at, or Trump the BBC, which is still, despite recent goings on, one of the best, most newsworthy, trustworthy and beneficial institutions we have on the planet - and we'd like to see it remain so! It does a tremendous amount of good work in a vast array of areas for humanity in general. Can we say the same about Mr Trump? Well, some would say the BBC wants to help the world. Some would say Mr Trump wants to help himself! Some would say that's the case for many of our leaders in this world, as they literally do help themselves to anything from the public purse, to what lies next door and beyond! Using and abusing the ordinary people they are supposed to be looking after. And they don't mind who gets hurt, or who they tread on in the process!
Good Job, Not Big Job! Mr Trump says he has an 'obligation' to sue the BBC, but it seems more like an 'obligation' to not miss a trick and make some money (and get himself on the telly). After all, it's at such times that people show their true colours, and we know what colour Mr Trump is; the colour of money; and just like his mate, Mr Putin, he goes after people who don't support him, who criticise him, speak out against him, or in his eyes, betray him. He's not quite as brutal as Mr Putin, but he's not exactly magnanimous either. He could perhaps do with getting a few tips from Big J, and I don't mean Mick Jagger. You get the impression at times, that Mr Trump actually admires what Mr Putin has done in Russia, turning the tables on the oligarchs and overruling democracy. Changing the rules to suit himself. Absolutely controlling the media. Feeding the Russian people a diet of crap, lies and misinformation. Locking up, or literally killing people that criticise, or speak out against him. Tyranny. We've seen enough of it. It's retarded animalistic behaviour for people that still think and behave like animals and haven't quite worked out what it means to be civilised. If we ever want to move our planet in the right direction, we need the right direction from our leaders. Which means we need leaders who can be grown up and behave like adults and civilised beings, and not like children, or animals! Leaders who can be responsible and do the job without pooing their pants and stinking the place out! Good job, not big job!
Humanity! Some countries are a bit further forward than others, and we are fortunate in the West, that we can still be critical of our leaders and governments without being locked up or 'silenced', by retarded thugs and bullies. We see plenty of criticism, mud-slinging and digging at the 'other lot', from our own politicians in the UK. Some would say it's childish and like the playground at times. After all, we should all be working for the same goal. Humanity! Even so, it is allowed. Nevertheless, some of my friends feel there is a bit of a downer on free speech in this country now. I say I think it's more of a downer on what many now term as 'hate speech'. That is inflammatory rhetoric, likely to cause or incite bad feeling and bad behaviour in others. Shit stirring! It's not nice, it's not helpful and it does damage! It should, therefore be discouraged, and we all need to understand the difference. With people in rich places, controlling social media platforms, who themselves don't understand the difference, or simply don't care, it is crucial that we do the best we can to highlight the difference between constructive analytical criticism, that is focussing attention and working to improve, and being hateful, divisive, malicious and shit stirring. If you're not sure how to tell the difference, ask yourself, is what is being said helpful to humanity and to society? Or will it result in bad feeling, bad behaviour, and ultimately victims? Would YOU like it if you were on the receiving end? We all know, good feeling is better than bad! Let's work towards that! Then we can all be happy! Remember, in the end, there is no us and them, there is just us! Humanity!
Trump v Truth: There is no doubt that Mr Trump tends to think a certain way. You get the impression he doesn't really like any criticism, constructive, or otherwise. For a start, it's all 'fake news', and he is quite happy to use the tools he does have at his disposal to try and counter it. Threats, litigation, removing those 'out of favour', who disagree, criticise, or speak out against him, by sacking, or bringing pressure to bear. He certainly gives the impression at times that he might be much more like Mr Putin, changing the rules to suit himself and ruling by threat and fear, if he could get away with it! It was mildly amusing listening to Mr Trump's reaction to the Panorama edit, which was actually shown a year earlier (and not shown in the States). Especially as I have a three-hour video from Channel 4 on my machine called Trump v the Truth. Showing over a hundred examples where Mr Trump has, quote... "said and written things which are untrue on a range of topics from international and domestic policy to his own political and career achievements." Did he apologise for any of them? Did he get sued for any of them? Perhaps the rest of the world is more tolerant and more forgiving than Mr Trump! Who despite having a website called Truth Social, is quite often not very truthful, or very social. Let's hope the world doesn't come to seriously regret Mr Trump in the same way as it has Mr Putin!
Yes, Perfect! As far as I know, Mr Trump has not had to explain himself, or indeed explain what on earth he was trying to achieve with his speech, on January 6th, 2021. What did he think was going to happen, as he issued those emotive and confrontational instructions, encouraging and directing such a mixed bunch of America's right wing, the 'Trump Army', with phrases like "We're gonna walk down to the Capitol, and I'll be there with you..." and "We fight, we fight like hell!" In fact, if you DO filter out all the rhetoric in between, these are key phrases that actually DID result in the assault on the Capitol. Fact! Subliminal insurrectionary instructions, orders to his army, disguised within his very lengthy "perfect" speech! And it didn't get lost on the crowd, as they did just as instructed. Some might say Mr Trump distanced himself, by distancing the instructions. Quite clever actually. Yes, perfect!
Folded! The undeniable truth is, Mr Trump's perfect speech did direct, inspire and cause an assault on the Capitol building. Trump supporters, who were involved in the assault, said afterwards they thought that's exactly what Mr Trump wanted them to do, after hearing his perfect speech! After all, he did say that, didn't he! But although Mr Trump did issue those (cleverly-disguised?) instructions (if that's what they were), we can't say he actually led his supporters anywhere, because he was nowhere to be seen. So, again, very clever, as he distanced himself from the actual events that he inspired with those actual key phrases, by not turning up. So, another lie, as he said he'd be there himself, and he wasn't. Is anyone suing him for lying, or for misleading? Well, he was impeached for 'incitement of insurrection', but was let off, when the Government folded!
Degree Of Hypocrisy! There is obviously a degree of hypocrisy here from a leader who does, intentionally or otherwise, openly lie and mislead the public, as he accuses the BBC of, "Defrauding the public." And also says of the BBC, "These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a presidential election" (remember that telephone call, to try and 'conjure up' more votes). Finally, he also said, "What a terrible thing for democracy" (but never mind Mr Putin. He's alright!). Yes, you have to laugh, but it is also very serious! These are our world leaders, that cause the ordinary people of this planet significant problems and unnecessarily degrade everybody's quality of life with their less-than-adequate behaviour! World leaders, who are responsible for the overall happiness, or misery, of the whole planet! It is time humanity started to wake up to this and take it seriously!
Fix It! Many people think Mr Trump is a bully, and from the playground upwards, there's a lot of it about. At such times, threatening behaviour, to get your own way, becomes the norm. Being a bully is not a nice quality. It's an animal trait, leftover from the jungle and our animal heritage; something that we would like to see diminish in this world. We must try and understand it's not appropriate behaviour and rise above it. Unfortunately, having leaders who behave like this, sets a bad example to everyone. Russia, Iran, China, etc., we could go on and on and on. Even in the UK we still have a problem with those in authority thinking it's appropriate to persecute and bully people for lifestyle choice, and others who like to stick it up people, with autocratically enforced rules and laws, not agreeable to the majority. Sticking it up people against their will, that is, without their permission, or consent, is a form of rape, so it is a big issue. If we ever want to reach civilisation in this world, we have to wake up to all of this and fix it!
Concept Confusion? Mr Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the BBC as being 100% fake news and a leftist propaganda machine. Well, she may not be 'just another dumb blonde', but those who actually DO watch the BBC, and know exactly what the BBC does, may well consider it to be a pretty dumb thing to say. A bigoted, ignorant statement based on a wealth of inexperience and a complete lack of understanding. Some may even say it's fake news, a blatant lie and a deliberate slur. Is she being sued? Has she apologised? Well, never mind! Life's too short! Anyway, what does she know! What she calls leftist propaganda, others would simply call education, so perhaps she has a case of concept confusion. In actual fact, the BBC does a tremendous amount of good work to raise awareness and try and move the world in a more palatable and tasteful direction. Can we say the same about Karoline Leavitt, or Mr Trump - I wonder? We know we can always do better!
Stick, Twist, Bust, or Bluff? It is a fact that somebody in the Panorama editing department made an error of judgement that was naive, clumsy and foolish, but as the programme also presented a significant amount of pro-Trump voice, it could hardly be considered to be malicious, unbalanced, or a wholesale stick-the-boot-in job. The programme wasn't shown in America and didn't damage Mr Trump in any way, as he still won the election. Mr Trump only found out about the programme a year later, due to a leaked memo and subsequent newspaper article in The Telegraph, otherwise, he would have been none the wiser. So no harm done. If it had been causing ANY harm at the time of the election, he and his supporters would have been very aware of it, because somebody would have drawn attention to it. The fact is, it went completely unnoticed! Although no real harm was done, Mr Trump still wants to try and Trump the BBC, raising the stakes considerably and demanding payment for damages from the pot. Rightly, the BBC has said "See you (in court)". Now Mr Trump is threatening to up the ante once more and sue the BBC for up to five billion dollars. Stick, Twist, Bust, or Bluff?
Good Example? Any money paid out from the pot, would have to be paid by the ordinary people of Britain, who have already recently paid out significantly for Mr Trump's lavish visit. The Panorama programme, perhaps, for all of its naivety and clumsiness, was simply posing the question that should somebody who behaves like this, setting the example he does and who incites this kind of behaviour, including a riotous assault on the Capitol, be taking such a top job? Perhaps they do have a point? The BBC is funded by ordinary members of the public, many of whom are hard pressed and have just spent a considerable amount on treating Mr Trump to his recent PERFECT visit to the UK. Mr Trump has already received over $100 million in settlements from media companies in America. Threatening people to extort money seems to be a notable part of Mr Trump's character (and salary). However, it is usually the ordinary hard-pressed people that pay the price and pick up the tab in such instances. Mr Trump is not hard up and already has plenty of money. He doesn't need to be greedy, or threatening, or taking money from the ordinary people! The way we behave in life is a choice. He is supposed to be a leader, and leaders should be setting a good example! Is he?
Bit Of A Pickle: While we're on the subject of top jobs and leadership, I redraw attention to the first paragraph (and other articles on this website). Boris Johnson has now said, unless the BBC comes clean, he'll stop paying the license fee, which he regards as a tax (isn't everything, to pay people like you Boris?). Google says... "Whilst Mayor of London, Boris Johnson famously described his similar £250,000-a-year salary in 2009 as "chicken feed". Before he became Prime Minister in 2019, Boris Johnson's salary for his weekly column with The Daily Telegraph was £275,000 per year. After leaving office as Prime Minister, Boris signed a new, separate contract with the Daily Mail, reportedly worth £1 million, for an exclusive column that began in the summer of 2024." After reading that, it's probably fair to say that Boris doesn't actually live in the real world; the world that everyone else lives in (even though he tried to manage some of it). Neither does Donald Trump. Having managers that don't actually live in the world they are supposed to be managing, probably explains why the world is in a bit of a pickle!
Stacked Decks? People like Boris and Mr Trump, represent a class of people that many think only care about money - the nobles. Many think they don't really care about the ordinary people - the peasants. Nobles generally give the impression that they're superior, or 'upper', and that they're absolutely entitled to have a lot more money, land and assets, than the peasants. This is the natural order of things, as God intended. It's Darwinian. Survival of the fittest. Sorry, did I say fittest? I mean richest! And it actually is! Peasants have to know their place, obviously! The peasants are the workers and are simply there to do the work; to be suitably used, abused, and laid off, as required, or not, as the case may be. Oh yes, and to fight the wars that our leaders cause and suffer the brunt of the consequences. And also to pay for the war, because that costs a lot of money! And to rebuild everything that our leaders have caused to be smashed up, which also costs a lot of money! And not to expect too much pay, because peasants can't have too much money. And, of course, to be milked, I mean taxed, that is, give some of it back! Well, peasants don't actually ask for much out of life and don't generally complain if it's a fair game. A fair game without stacked decks. But is it? Are we getting a fair game from our leaders, the nobles and those in charge, or have the decks always been stacked, and are we, the peasants, just being continually flushed, trumped and taken for a run?
Let's Try That! Talking of trumping, that slightly-lingering farty smell, of course the BBC should rightly come clean, put its cards on the table, and let the air clear. And Boris knows, that is what we expect! However, Boris could have just said that is what HE would expect. Not that he's going to stop paying the licence fee, which again, sets a bad example and is not very helpful. Especially, when he suggests others should follow suit and do the same. We should support, what is still one of the best institutions on the planet and an organisation we can be extremely proud of. We know it's not perfect. That's because it's populated by human beings (the same as governments). We know it can always do better. That's because WE, that is human beings, can ALWAYS do better (the same as governments). Let's try that!
Invaluable! But while some are having a go, Boris, let's not overlook the amazing qualities the BBC does have. It is not just about news and current affairs. The BBC is a fantastic source of learning for children and adults alike. As well as providing great drama and general entertainment, it raises awareness of problems and issues in society and around the world. It works proactively to tackle crime. It provides superb education in all things: Science, IT, nature, health, sport, agriculture. Positive and constructive! Incredible work! Not forgetting local radio and the BBC World Service. Invaluable to many, both locally and worldwide. We should be absolutely proud of the BBC and support it in its hour of need, not take the opportunity to stick a hypocritical boot in Boris! We know none of us are perfect (no, I'm not going to take another opportunity to mention Boris).
Jokers In The Pack! Improvement in anything we do, is achieved by taking a good look at ourselves. That is scrutinising ourselves, working out what needs to be done, and honing our mechanisms to improve our performance. Although not everyone can do this, as it often involves taking constructive comment and criticism on the chin, everything and everyone can benefit if they can, including, as much as we may love them for being the entertaining characters they are, Boris and Mr Trump! Characters, like the rest of us, certainly not without their own flaws. Flaws which are greatly magnified and much more impacting on the ordinary people and the planet, when we are in positions of influence, authority, leadership and power. Especially, as we have seen all too often, when some turn out to be jokers in the pack!
Lost In The Shuffle: Regardless of the fact that the money would have to be found and paid by the ordinary-hard-pressed people of the United Kingdom, it's not particularly nice of Mr Trump, who has plenty of money, to be trying to extort ill-affordable money from an organisation that does so much good work in so many areas in the world. Some would say he's got a bit of a cheek to even think about Trumping the BBC, even if the editor did cut to the chase, leaving out the stuff in between. That is editing. If the editor is guilty of anything, it's not leaving a tiny little gap between the clips, to indicate they weren't actually concurrent. Or maybe pointing it out some other way! A definite oversight, granted, and perhaps an easy mistake to make if you're not thinking straight, or a bit tired after a long day. However, an admission of wrongdoing, a retraction and an apology should be enough for Mr Trump, shouldn't it? After all, we all make mistakes, even Mr Trump. Notably, any mistakes he currently makes will potentially cause a lot more damage and do a lot more harm than this little editing faux pas, which went completely unnoticed, lost in the shuffle!
Tantrump? Talking of which, we can't definitely say that Mr Trump intended those events to unfold the way they did. What we can say is, as far as his supporters were concerned, he effectively gave the orders, with those phrases he uttered, the editing of which he says are 'fake news'. However, there was nothing fake about the effect they had on the day. The facts are, Mr Trump DID say those things and those were two of the key phrases that caused the effect. His supporters DID think it was a call to arms, and a call to march on the Capitol, and they DID think that that's what he wanted them to do. He DID say he would be there with them, but didn't turn up and he was very slow to stop it. We know Mr Trump likes to get his own way and we know he doesn't like it when he doesn't get it! We also know he was angry at losing the election, saying it was 'stolen' from him. It was also reported that as he watched the assault unfold, he was pleased and excited. Some people think, and not just his supporters, that that's exactly what he wanted! So, was it simply a tantrump?
Shining Lights? Everyone is aware of the serious problem we currently have in this world, most of it caused by those who lead. For the moment, all bets are off, as we have currently stopped evolving towards a civilised humanity and we are notably regressing again. Therefore, we do need to shine a light on our faults and flaws, especially when it comes to those people who say they're fit to lead, as at the moment, many are far from it. We could actually do with some shining lights who ARE fit to lead, but there seems to be a shortage of those! The BBC helps humanity in so many areas, and perhaps could do even more. For me, the world would definitely be a dumber and dimmer place without the light of the BBC. And yes, I do watch it quite a lot, so I am speaking from a significant amount of personal viewing experience and personal scrutiny - unlike some. As the BBC does shine a light, and likes to draw attention to bad behaviour in the world, it would obviously suit the likes of Mr Trump and Mr Putin to stick the boot in, as they like to live in a world where, one way or another, they get their own way and can 'create the truth' in their heads to suit themselves. A world where the truth is what they say it is, as opposed to what it actually is!
Simply Trumped! We know that money is power and political sway, of course, but let's not also forget, it also works in reverse; political sway and power, is also money, especially when you've got your hands on the public purse. Those who hanker after such things and even want to rule the world, understand the power of communication, influence and direction, and getting their own way. Ever since man could communicate, and probably before that, the ordinary people have been susceptible to influence and bad influence, direction, and misdirection. Of course, if you want people in your camp, there is usually some sort of carrot in the picture. This may be real, such as a monetary payment, or share of the spoils, or may be illusionary, such as false promises and tax breaks, where they give with one hand and take back with the other. Lies, misinformation, propaganda and spin, play out in every quarter from those who vie for power and control. We watch our own politicians in the UK, every day on the TV, twisting the truth, even lying through their teeth, as they try and blame everyone else but themselves, to con, sway, or 'mug' the public. Trying to put themselves in a better light and the opposition in a worse! It's been significantly bad in the States, with Mr Trump accusing the opposition of 'stealing' the election. His supporters actually believe it and feel a sense of injustice. Injustice gets people angry and worked up, and that's how it works. Wind them up and watch them go. That's what Mr Trump did on the 6th January! Of course, when it comes to Mr Trump losing the election, most people think, when all the cards were counted and on the table, Mr Trump was simply trumped!
T 'ug' Of War! There is nothing good or constructive about vying for power, and all the nonsense that goes with it. There is also nothing good about bipolar politics. East v West, Communism v Capitalism, Labour v Conservative, Democrats v Republicans. Left v right, it's a silly tug of war, metaphorical, often literal, actual war, on behalf of greedy, control-hungry individuals, with their own issues, who manipulate everybody with their lies and their propaganda, and it costs us all. It's self-defeating and it's extremely painstaking to make any progress (as we may have noticed). However, this is how much of our social-management system is, right across the globe. Some regimes are more brutal and authoritarian than others, but they are all about individuals, and the associated entourage, vying for power and control, and trying to hang onto it, sometimes by any means necessary. The results for the ordinary people, who are simply 'mugged' and caught up in it, can be anything from a bit grim, to absolutely catastrophic. There are significant clues in our word-game, relating to our recent history, such as Vietnam (man vie ✝), Soviet (so vie ✝). The cost of these bipolar battles can be extremely high. Lessons we are still learning. The point is, the ordinary people are being continuously mugged by leaders who do not know how to behave or how to manage. We have to wake up to this at some point, if we are ever to have peace on this planet. Otherwise, we never will! Of course, there is another bipolar state and tug of war that mankind will ultimately have to battle and contend with, and that is the one between the nobles and the peasants, the rich and the poor! Prince William said, "Slavery was abhorrent and it should never have happened." One day, we will say the same about greed! But at the moment we're stuck with it, and all the unsavoury consequences.
✝'ug' Of Clicks: We know that those who own or control the media, have the facility to manipulate and control on a massive scale. This is why people like Rupert Murdoch have been able to sway elections in the past and why Mr Trump was forced to get his own website. In this new age of media, where anyone can get a platform and be a content creator, there's plenty of con to try and get you in the tent. Of course, there always has been in the traditional press, but the papers and the TV were never in such a battle, because they were different forms of media, and there was room for both. Now people are vying for your 'screen time', there are a lot more people sticking the boot in where the BBC and other mainstream media are concerned. Understandable, perhaps, because so many are competing for a slice of the pie. Clicks, views and likes represent money and publicity and while people are watching the BBC, they can't be watching, clicking and liking people on the internet. In this new age of personal-mobile telly, where everyone is 'plugged in' all the time, the tug of clicks, information and subscription war, vying for your attention is more potent than it's ever been and some will do and say anything to get you in the tent, in their camp, and in their army!
✝'ug' Of Faith: If you're in business, it pays to get people to subscribe and support your business, but to some, it is not just about money; it's about manipulation and mind-control. Manipulating you and your mind is also big business. Religion has been a classic example of this over the years. Many perverting the true word of God for their own selfish ends; sometimes ends that manifest themselves in pure evil, and look at what it's done to our planet and the ordinary people. We do like to be trusting and we do like to be able to put our faith in people and what they say, but again, we are taken advantage of and simply mugged. If you have control of somebody's mind, you also have control of their body and their physical attributes. Yes, you can make them give you their money, you can also make them fight your battles, as well as tell them how they must dress. You can make them subscribe to all sorts of ridiculous nonsense, and they'll buy it. Especially if 'God' says so! Human beings can be gullible. Now anyone can get a soapbox on the internet, more and more people are 'believing', being mugged and sucked in by the tug of faith!
The C E SS pit:
We've seen people becoming radicalised, rabbit-holed, the promotion of bullying, misogyny, suicide. People being conned into giving all their money away. Children being groomed, enticed, murdered, self-harmed, driven to suicide, sextorted and abused; targeted and infected from an early age. Becoming addicted to their smartphones, the literal needle in the arm and the very facilitator of all these ills. Children, with developing minds, in their developing years, being constantly pumped by mindless and soulless automated systems of algorithms, designed and promoted by people who only care about money, to suck them in deeper and deeper. Children being allowed to fall, because just like knife crime and many other things that should have been acted on, society has been completely impotent when it comes to safe-guarding and fencing off the cesspit.
House Of Cards! The internet is a great tool for selling snake oil and spreading fertiliser. If we're gullible enough to buy it, they'll happily sell it and take your money. I have a friend who, for me, represents a new class of religious zealot. Those who worship the internet and social media as the 'one true god'. He is absolutely convinced that that's 'how it is'. Just like conversations I've had with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons over the years, they all have one thing in common; they've got it all sown up, you can't tell them anything, and they won't consider evidence, common sense, or even science. It just doesn't compute. This is the power of indoctrination. It makes you blind! Just like those indoctrinated with the man-fabricated nonsense elements of religion, for me, my friend has been mugged. Of course, he disagrees, but his one true god has taken him to a place where he says Mr Putin had no choice but to invade Ukraine. A place where he says there's no such thing as manmade climate change and global warming. But when you have a world with leaders like Mr Putin and Mr Trump, selling snake oil and promoting fertiliser to suit their own selfish agendas, utilising an army of people to spread the muck, it's not surprising that some people are sucked in and persuaded that, just as with Hitler, these are the heroes, as they herd the ordinary people into conflicting situations and another house of cards!
Winning Hand! My friend thinks you cannot trust the BBC. He thinks it's controlled by nefarious faceless people with an agenda to takeover the world, maybe even the galaxy. He says he's done the hard yards, put the time in and sifted out the truth from the rest of it on the internet, so who is he actually listening to? Although we agree to differ, he gets quite passionate when I stick up for the BBC. He calls me a five-year old, says the BBC is for children and the playground and I'm being sucked in by a shiny light (the telly). You couldn't get much more condescending! But, it is quite amusing, because I see the reverse, so, it's an interesting and challenging predicament. As we go kayaking together, I'm sure the debate will continue. The thing is, he's not the only one, and just as those of us blinded by the nonsense elements of religion, they seem very adamant and set in their ways. This is what the BBC is now up against. Internet opinion, doing the rounds, impressed on people, designed to suck them away from the television and inter (the) net. Consequently, anything the BBC does wrong adds fuel to the fire. It is good therefore, if the BBC can be proud, stand its ground and compete with a strong, preferably winning hand!
Streaky? Truth is actual fact, however, we know the BBC can get a hard time when it doesn't show the actual fact, and hard time when it does. So can it win? There is next to no censorship on the internet, so anything goes, and we know this means the internet is in places, a cesspit of human depravity, attracting deviants, wronguns, malbeings and criminals, from all over the globe. The BBC does filter, edit and censor material and, as we know, every editor has to do this to get the best presentation. However, the BBC, in deciding what it airs and what it doesn't, has banned pop songs, for what some would say, are questionable, even silly reasons, as well as not given airtime to other events and happenings, which it has deemed to be damaging or unhelpful to society. Even streakers don't get aired anymore, much to the disappointment of the viewing audience, and probably against the greater-democratic vote, because they're always a good laugh and greatly entertaining. So, that's a shame isn't it! However, we can perhaps understand why someone decided not to promote and encourage such interruptions and impromptu acts of fleeting nudity, by not giving them publicity and airtime!
All Move On! As well as not being openly forthcoming regarding the Panorama problem, the BBC has also been very slow to put its hands up to admit to abuse and wrongdoing inside the institution and that has also upset people. However, these things are understandable. Those who may level criticism for a lack of rapid admission, I'm sure, will not be completely innocent. The fact is, human beings generally find it hard to put their hands up. Perhaps something to do with overcoming gravity, or the blood draining, who knows! The fact is, nobody wants to be publicly embarrassed, and as we know, human beings are renowned for trying to avoid such embarrassment and accountability by lying and / or trying to cover up the truth, and sweep it under the carpet. Governments, and those who should know better, do it all the time! Nevertheless, truth is truth. It is a constant and a fact of life and although some of it is unsavoury, at some point, it will usually come out. Ultimately, even if uncomfortable, it's better out than in. There is always room for understanding and forgiveness, and so there should be, because none of us are perfect! But, we have to face up to it, get it in the open and deal with it! Then we can all move on!
The Real Villains? Unlike the internet, the BBC does try and be responsible, and it is a fine balance. I mean, look at the fuss when nobody pulled the plug on Bob Vylan at Glastonbury. But then it was a live transmission of a gig, so should anyone even have pulled the plug? It's a performance. They're saying what they think. That's what musicians and performers do and the BBC does have a track-banning track-record. Free speech, or hate speech? The debate goes on! And some people do think that free speech means you should be able to say just anything! However, we know words can cause harm. Although not a great message, we should understand why people do such things and why they feel the way they do, because again, it comes down to those who lead and the way THEY behave. Bob Vylan were venting their feelings to make a point about what many see as the real villains. Murderous thugs and bullies being ordered by a genocidal leader of a nation, to destroy people and their homes, maiming over 170,00 and killing over 70,000 men, women and children (so far), in the name of peace? A genocidal leader who wanted to try and cover up the truth, by not allowing the BBC, or any other journalists into the location, so he could do just what he liked, without being seen and without being called out. His reaction and his sin, wholly disproportionate to the original sin. And so much for turning the other cheek, which would have got Israel much more respect, sympathy and support. That is, all decent thinking people would have been totally on the side of Israel in condemning what happened on October 7th and would have been working to try and put things right! So ask yourself, which would have been the path of least human suffering? Maybe Jesus had a point!
Calls It Out! These 'leaders' that order death and destruction don't care about human beings, they only care about themselves. The high number of casualties in the Gaza bombardment also includes 400 UN staff. Caring people who DO care about human beings who were simply trying to aid the victims in this humanitarian catastrophe. And yet we actually see some leaders in this world appearing to support the aggression and bad behaviour. So-called leaders who should know better, but apparently don't, or just don't really care. NOBODY in the West seemed to want to call him out either! Why is that? Because that also annoys people. Well, maybe it takes someone to sing about it, and even if not the most tasteful of lyrical message, maybe we should all listen and take notice. Not because it's good to encourage killing, but because we must understand that this is the anger that such heinous behaviour stirs up. Sometimes the ramifications of such behaviour by our so-called leaders impacts completely innocent people, miles away from the atrocities with far worse than words, as we have seen many times. So, maybe the BBC was right not to pull the plug, as it puts the issue back in the spotlight, where it belongs. It's a big pile of rubble and bodies to just brush under a carpet, and it's hard not to think that this disgraceful, disgusting and murderous behaviour by a leader of a nation, is not actually supported by Mr Trump and others, including our own, when nobody calls it out! As usual, the price will be paid by the ineffectual, innocent people of this world and not those ultimately responsible for creating the problem!
What Lies Beneath? Human beings don't like being wronged! When we get hurt, or feel injustice, the natural response is to get angry and want to hit back. Unfortunately, because hate = heat, and heat = hate, this can cause an endless tit-for-tat cycle of problems. This is WHY Jesus said try turning the other cheek. This isn't about giving a license to take the proverbial. It's about breaking the cycle, otherwise it can be relentless. However, to do this we have to deal with the bad behaviour and the injustice that incites such anger to begin with. There is no doubt that all the mess in this world is down to those who lead, or if you like, mislead. Unfortunately, due to humanity's social-management structure, it's very difficult for the ordinary people to affect anything in this world and one retard in power means the whole world takes a retrogressive step backwards, whether we like it or not! Therefore, it is incredibly important as to the way Mr Trump and others who lead, think and behave. It's a question of what 'lies' beneath. Sometimes, by the time we find out, it's too late to stop the malevolence and another disaster for humanity.
C He SS! We often see that terrorism and other forms of protest are the result of bad behaviour from those in charge as they interfere in the lives and lands of others, often to try and get control over a few more squares on the board. Why such people in charge think they're so entitled to behave this way, is a complete mystery. Maybe they'd like to explain themselves. I'm sure, one day, they'll have the chance! Mr Trump has already had his eye on Greenland, Panama and Canada. His mate, Mr Putin, wants Ukraine, and that's just to begin with. His other mate, Mr Netanyahu wants Gaza and the West Bank. Of course, Mr Trump also had his eye on Gaza. Then China thinks it's okay to bully it's way into Taiwan. It's already greatly upset the natives in Hong Kong, welshing on the deal and going back on its word. We, in Britain, have been as guilty as anyone in the past. And how far back do we want to take it? The point is, why have we not yet learnt our lesson? Have we not seen enough? How many lives have been wasted because of leaders who want to take, and take over the lands of others? Bullying, raping, killing, exploiting, ruling and controlling from afar. Leaders who want to abuse their position and power. Throwing their weight around, with a lust for control and territorial ambition sacrificing ordinary people like pawns. Life on Earth is a serious business for most of us. It should not be treated like a board game for so-called leaders to play!
Angerland: Leaders should know better! If they don't, they shouldn't be driving the bus. Ordinary people just want a quiet, well-managed life, and most of us are sick of all the trouble such bad behaviour from our leaders causes. We've seen too much of it, often coupled with indoctrinated religious or political divide. It's all manmade nonsense in our heads, fuelled by what our various 'leaders' would have us believe; much of it lies and misinformation. Yes, we do fall for it! Notably, in our recent history, ordinary people have had to contend with all the above problems in Ireland. Coincidentally (as ire means anger), it's in the name, Ire land. The people in charge that cause and perpetuate these problems, know they're doing damage and causing harm, but they carry on, regardless. Consequently, ordinary people do get incredibly angry and frustrated at times. However, killing, or promoting the killing of people from any soapbox, platform, position of office, or even on stage at Glastonbury, isn't helpful! Killing each other is what we would like to see stop! It's nonsense created by nonsense! The ONLY way forward is to improve our behaviour, deal with the gripes, and work to keep everyone happy. It's not complicated, BUT, it involves consideration and means dealing with a number of issues. It also means that the buck stops where the responsibility lies, with our leaders! Bad leaders are no good to anyone, but, once they're in, they're hard to get out and that is a massive problem in some countries!
C Rap Hands! We see a tremendous amount of injustice from those who say they're fit to lead in this world. It's not hard to understand why the ordinary people get so angry when they see a leader of a nation ordering the cold-blooded murder of men, women and children, bombing, shooting, starving them, and treating them abhorrently, and other leaders are not calling him out. Leaders should set a good example and two wrongs don't make a right, especially when multiplied by such an excessively high factor. We must not tar all with the same brush, and painting ourselves with labels is a big part of our problem in this world, because that's how completely innocent people get targeted and caught up in the crap. Ordinary people who are absolutely powerless to affect anything, being maimed or killed as a result of backlash and being tarred with the same brush! It's not just politics and nationality, much of this comes down to religion, something we have yet to deal with; the manmade nonsense that is. We must all understand that it's not the ordinary people that cause the wars, it's our leaders. Those in charge who give the orders! However, it is the ordinary people that always pay the price, both mortally and financially. Many ordinary people are still forced to live in poverty because of greed and idiots in charge who want to waste resources on destruction, destroying people's lives and infrastructure, with absolutely no conscience. We should be concentrating on sensible and grownup management of people and planet. It is, therefore, perfectly understandable as to why people get frustrated at the 'c rap' hands that we continually see being dealt to the ordinary people by those who say they're fit to lead!
Leaders & Dealers! Leaders and dealers is an anagram, and the two are closely related as our leaders are ultimately the dealers of the hands and the circumstances that affect everyone. If they deal crap hands and don't play the cards right, we all suffer. As there are leaders who deal at all levels of society, from the playground upwards, every time we look up to somebody, or are influenced by somebody, it has an effect. We have to try and understand the responsibility that goes with this from an early age. Human beings are programmable devices. If we allow our heads to be filled with crap, we will behave like crap! Ultimately, the responsibility rests with our leaders and we must do our best to discourage the 'seeding' of crap, as well as the spreading. However, when we see so many of our leaders being a typical example of what we're talking about, it certainly poses a problem. We need leaders who can see the bigger picture, that is humanity. Leaders who have respect for life and for individual freewill. Leaders who know how to behave and how to manage accordingly. When you think about that, you realise how far off the mark we currently are. There is a distinct shortage of fair play and an abundance of bad behaviour we see coming from those in charge, some of whom are notably a few cards short of a full deck. Consequently, the bum deals and crap hands keep coming.
Trust The Source! Many people who put their faith in the internet, have already been indoctrinated with the belief that everything that comes from mainstream media is corrupt, manipulated, and / or censored. We know it is in many places in this world. Most people that support the BBC know that it does its best to try and be accurate. If it fails, it gets bombarded with complaints from the scrutineers - the people that watch it. It has also occasionally aired apologies, when it gets things wrong. However, we know there are no such guarantees with the internet. People can be anonymous, not traceable and not accountable. And who do you write to, to complain? Unlike the BBC, no one listens. The social media companies don't care about anything other than money and they're slow to act on anything moral. So, the bottom line is, you don't know who you're watching, listening to, or talking to, what their motives or agendas are, whether they can be trusted, or even who they're working for. We know there are people in this world who care more about getting control, their revenue streams, their profits and their own personal fortunes, than they do about the people of this planet, or even the planet itself. They will literally lie through their teeth and tell you anything, if it suits, regardless of the harm they do. With constantly-improving AI now at their disposal, it only can only get worse, so it is going to be a challenge and a very big issue! One that we all need to wake up to and think about. We have to be able to trust the source!
The 'Right' Message: Earth is currently in an 'age of mess' and a big part of the problem is deliberate misinformation, and our inherent inability to face up to, or tell the truth. We have seen dishonesty in every corner of every institution on our planet. Governments, police forces, even those who purport to represent the almighty. We have seen people fitted up for crimes they didn't commit, serving life sentences because those who should have known and behaved better, didn't! We have seen sexual abuse and child sexual abuse covered up by those in the authorities, the church and the BBC. We have seen those who say they're fit to lead, presidents, prime ministers, those with ministerial ambition, and a prince, blatantly lie rather than simply put their hands up and tell the truth. We have seen world leaders, who should know how to be grown up and responsible, behaving like malevolent juveniles, deliberately spreading misinformation and propaganda, causing considerable trouble for the ordinary people of this planet; herding people into a damaging war that nobody wants. We have seen leaders of religions lie and pervert the word of God, dirtying God's name to suit their own bigoted and abusive ends! And this is us - humanity! We are all guilty of something. Sometimes we stay silent when we should speak out. Sometimes we're too frightened. Sometimes people try to speak out and get murdered or locked up by those in power. Sometimes we're slow to admit our faults and wrongdoing and slow to put our hands up. Some never can! Along with our lies and misinformation we have to contend with war, hate, division, criminal behaviour and greed, and before we can put anything right, we have to be able to put our hands up and admit the problem. We, as humanity on Earth, currently have a lot not to be proud of! It would be nice to start to turn that around with the 'right' message!
The 'Right' Way: As time goes on, sensible management of our people and our planet will become more and more crucial. Those who say they're fit to lead have a responsibility to the ordinary people that they have not, so far, been able, or willing, to live up to. As we have been given everything we need in this world, they should be able to properly manage and lead us the right way. However, up until now, they have consistently failed, leading the ordinary people into mess, after mess, after mess. Our leaders also seem to think that the way to manage people is to walk all over them. Bullying, threatening and killing. It will be a much nicer world when we get to understand that the best way to manage people is to get them to manage themselves. We are all capable of this, but it involves loading people with the 'right' software, that is giving them the 'right' education and upbringing. This means the diet of information we are fed, has to be right and healthy! We need good examples to look up to and good, healthy influence from those who have something to say. It also means keeping everyone happy, so there can be no cause for complaint. No reason to commit criminal acts or terrorist atrocities. To achieve these things, we have to understand where we are currently going wrong, and that means taking a good look at ourselves and being able to face up to what we see. What we see is a world divided by manmade nonsense in our heads and an inherited prevalence of animal traits, still manifest in our social and social-management principles. Bullying, greed, selfishness, abuse, control, territorial ambition, etc. A lot of bad behaviour, often accompanied by a need to lie, or deny, to try and cover it up, and pretend things are not what they are. Lying to avoid being embarrassed, found out, or called out. There is also a worrying general inability and unwillingness for our governments and our leaders to see the bigger picture and understand what is 'right' and how and why we need to start acting the 'right' way!
The MessAge: Queen Elizabeth said, "No institution should expect to be free, from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't!" This must not only include the monarchy, which she was referring to at the time, and the BBC, which many have criticised, regarding its behaviour, but our local authorities, our police forces and our various religions. It must also include our world governments. Those ultimately responsible for the abhorrent state of our planet and its management, or more correctly, mismanagement. It is time for mankind to stand up and be counted. Time for our leaders and our institutions to be put under the spotlight and to be held accountable. It is perhaps a good thing that this Panorama thing has happened so publicly, as it reaffirms the message that all humanity needs to understand and take on board. The things we say are important! It affects our world, for better or worse! We should all think about that. If we are a leader, influencer, writer, or broadcaster, the things we say are especially important, because we influence more people. We've seen how easy it is to mislead people, giving them the wrong message and herding them down the wrong road. The road to bad behaviour. War, abuse, hate, or an assault on the Capitol. None of it helpful. With the malevolent application of AI and world leaders who don't know what they're doing, how to behave, or who don't really care, some of whom blatantly lie every time their lips move, and an internet where anyone can stir up trouble for all sorts of nefarious reasons, as well as controversy and clicks, we must ALL try and get the message! We need to get our own house in order and our facts straight! Honesty, transparency, accuracy and accountability are the vital ingredients. Truth in the open! Cards on the table! Face up! The first step on the path to get beyond what we may one day look back on and call the 'Age of Mess', or MessAge!
The Hunt For Red October? The BBC doesn't actually make its own programmes anymore, it relies on independent production companies. That particular Panorama programme was apparently made by an independent company called October Films.
Lollipops! In the actual film, The Hunt For Red October, Jeffrey Pelt (played by Richard Jordan) said, quote... "I'm a politician, which means I'm a cheat and a liar, and when I'm not kissing babies, I'm stealing their lollipops!" Room for improvement then?
16th December 2025: Mr Trump has now filed his defamation 5 billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC.
He said, quote... "I'm suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth, literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said, coming out, I guess they used AI, or something. And they got caught, because I believe somebody at BBC said this is so bad, it has to be reported."
He also said, quote... "They actually put terrible words in my mouth, having to do with January 6th, that I didn't say, and the beautiful words that I said, right, the beautiful words, talking about patriotism and all of the good things that I said, they didn't say that, but they put terrible words. They actually had me speaking with words that I never said and they got caught."